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United States Patent |
5,739,621
|
Atsuta
,   et al.
|
April 14, 1998
|
Vibration type motor device
Abstract
A vibration type motor device excites a vibration member by applying
frequency signals to piezoelectric elements so as to obtain a driving
force. A vibration state detection piezoelectric element is arranged on
the vibration member, and when a vibration state is determined by
detecting the phase difference between the output from the detection
piezoelectric element and a driving frequency signal, a predetermined
signal is superposed on the output from the detection piezoelectric
element, thus allowing accurate detection of the vibration state even when
the output from the piezoelectric element includes noise.
Inventors:
|
Atsuta; Akio (Yokosuka, JP);
Kojima; Nobuyuki (Kawasaki, JP)
|
Assignee:
|
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo, JP)
|
Appl. No.:
|
574080 |
Filed:
|
December 18, 1995 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S. Class: |
310/316.02; 318/116 |
Intern'l Class: |
H01L 041/08 |
Field of Search: |
310/323,328,316,317,319
318/116
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
4727276 | Feb., 1988 | Izukawa et al. | 310/316.
|
5023526 | Jun., 1991 | Kuwabara et al. | 318/116.
|
5159223 | Oct., 1992 | Suganuma | 310/316.
|
5173631 | Dec., 1992 | Suganuma | 310/316.
|
5231325 | Jul., 1993 | Tamai et al. | 310/323.
|
5410204 | Apr., 1995 | Imabayashi et al. | 310/323.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
0584775 | Mar., 1994 | EP.
| |
0661764 | Jul., 1995 | EP.
| |
3289375 | Dec., 1991 | JP.
| |
7193291 | Jul., 1995 | JP.
| |
Primary Examiner: Budd; Mark O.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vibration type motor device, which excites a vibration member by
applying a frequency signal to an electro-mechanical energy conversion
element portion arranged in the vibration member, so as to obtain a
driving force, comprising:
a vibration state detection element portion that detects a vibration state
of the vibration member and generates an output corresponding to the
detected vibration state;
a superposition circuit that superposes an output from said vibration state
detection element portion on said frequency signal via an impedance
element; and
a driving state detection circuit that detects a driving state of said
motor device on the basis of the output, superposed on the frequency
signal, from said vibration state detection element portion, and the
frequency signal applied to the electro-mechanical energy conversion
element portion.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said impedance element is a
capacitance element, and the frequency signal is superposed on said
vibration state detection element portion via the capacitance element.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein a magnitude of the frequency
signal has a value falling within a range of 1/20 to 1/3 of an output
voltage from said vibration state detection element portion at a resonance
frequency.
4. A device according to claim 2, wherein a ratio of a capacitive component
of said vibration state detection element portion and a capacitive
component of said capacitance element is set to fall within a range from
0.05 to 0.5.
5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said impedance element is a
resistance element, and the frequency signal is superposed on said
vibration state detection element portion via the impedance element.
6. A vibration type motor device, which excites a vibration member by
applying a frequency signal to an electro-mechanical energy conversion
element portion arranged in the vibration member, so as to obtain a
driving force, comprising:
a vibration state detection electro-mechanical energy conversion element
portion that detects a vibration state of the vibration member and
generates an output corresponding to the detected vibration state, said
vibration state detection electro-mechanical energy conversion element
portion being electrically coupled to the electro-mechanical energy
conversion element portion to which the frequency signal is applied by way
of an impedance element, wherein the frequency signal is superposed on the
output corresponding to the detected vibration state; and
a driving state detection circuit that detects a driving state of said
motor device on the basis of the superposed output and the frequency
signal applied to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element
portion.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the electro-mechanical energy
conversion element portion is constituted by piezoelectric elements, and
the piezoelectric elements of the electro-mechanical energy conversion
element portion to which the frequency signal is applied are stacked on
the piezoelectric elements of said vibration state detection
electro-mechanical energy conversion element portion.
8. A motor for a vibration type motor device, which excites a vibration
member by apply a frequency signal to an electro-mechanical energy
conversion element portion arranged in the vibration member, so as to
obtain a driving force, and performs driving control in accordance with a
vibration state, comprising:
a vibration state detection element portion that detects a vibration state
of the vibration member and generates an output corresponding to the
detected vibration state; and
a superposition circuit that superposes an output from said vibration state
detection element portion on said frequency signal via an impedance
element, said superposition circuit outputting a superposed output as a
signal used for detecting the vibration state.
9. A motor according to claim 8, wherein said impedance element is a
capacitance element.
10. A motor according to claim 8, wherein a magnitude of the frequency
signal has a value falling within a range of 1/20 to 1/3 of an output
voltage from said vibration state detection element portion at a resonance
frequency.
11. A motor according to claim 9, wherein a ratio of a capacitive component
of said vibration state detection element portion and a capacitive
component of said capacitance element is set to fall within a range from
0.05 to 0.5.
12. A motor according to claim 8, wherein said impedance element is a
resistance element.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vibration type (vibration wave) motor
which is used in, e.g., a lens driving device for a camera, and is driven
by utilizing resonance of a vibration member.
2. Related Background Art
Recently, vibration wave motors called ultrasonic wave motors or
piezoelectric motors have been developed and put into practical
applications. The vibration wave motor is a new, non-electromagnetic
driven type motor, which applies AC voltages to electro-mechanical energy
conversion elements such as piezoelectric or electrostrictive elements to
cause these elements to generate high-frequency vibrations, and picks up
the vibration energy of these elements as a continuous mechanical motion.
The motor is used in, e.g., a lens driving device for a camera due to its
features such as low speed, large torque, and the like. The operation
principle such as elliptic driving of a vibration member in the motor, and
the like is well known since it has been described in many references such
as Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 3-289375 proposed by the
present applicant, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 12 is a side view of a conventional rod-shaped vibration wave motor. A
vibration member 1 constituting the rod-shaped vibration wave motor shown
in FIG. 12 is constituted by a coupled body of piezoelectric or
electrostrictive elements and elastic members.
A piezoelectric element portion of the vibration member 1 is constituted by
A- and B-phase driving piezoelectric elements a1, a2, b1, and b2, and a
vibration detection piezoelectric element s1. An A-phase application
voltage is applied to a metal plate A-d sandwiched between the A-phase
piezoelectric elements a1 and a2, and a B-phase application voltage is
applied to a metal plate B-d sandwiched between the B-phase piezoelectric
elements b1 and b2, thereby driving the piezoelectric element portion. The
two outer sides of the A- and B-phase piezoelectric elements a1, a2, b1,
and b2 are connected to the GND potential, and one side (B-phase side) of
the vibration detection piezoelectric element s1 is similarly connected to
the GND potential, so as to pick up a signal from a pickup electrode S-d
on the side opposite to the GND potential. In this case, the signal pickup
surface side of the vibration detection piezoelectric element s1 contacts
a metal block. However, since the metal block is insulated from the GND
potential by an insulation sheet, an output voltage corresponding to a
vibration generated by the piezoelectric element portion can be directly
obtained from the vibration detection piezoelectric element s1. Therefore,
the resonance frequency can be calculated based on the magnitude of the
output voltage, the phase difference between the driving voltages, and the
like, thus allowing control of the motor.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a driving circuit of the rod-shaped vibration
wave motor shown in FIG. 12. The driving circuit shown in FIG. 13 is
operated under the control of a microcomputer 11. The phase of an AC
voltage generated by an oscillator 2 is shifted through 90.degree. by a
phase shifter 3. The AC voltage from the oscillator 2 is applied to a
switching circuit 4, and the AC voltage from the phase shifter 3 is
applied to a switching circuit 5, thereby switching the power supply
voltage using the AC voltages. The outputs from the two switching circuits
4 and 5 are applied to driving electrodes A-d and B-d of the motor via
matching coils 6 and 7 which attain impedance matching with the motor.
The rotational speed of the motor is detected by a speed detector (e.g., an
encoder) 8, and a signal phase difference .theta.A-S between the driving
electrode A-d and the vibration detection electrode S-d is detected by a
phase difference detector 10, thus performing frequency control based on
the resonance frequency.
FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship among the signal phase
difference and frequency of the driving circuit for the vibration wave
motor shown in FIG. 13, and the motor rotational speed.
In this case, the A-phase driving piezoelectric elements a1 and a2 and the
vibration detection piezoelectric element s1 have a 180.degree. positional
phase difference therebetween. At a resonance frequency fr, the phase
difference .theta.A-S becomes -90.degree. (between .theta.1 and .theta.2)
in both the CW (clockwise) and CCW (counterclockwise) directions. As the
frequency becomes higher than the resonance frequency fr, the phase
difference deviates from -90.degree., and at frequencies higher than a
frequency f at which the motor (vibration member) 1 stops, the phase
difference cannot have a stable value due to the influence of, e.g., noise
since the output signal from the vibration detection piezoelectric element
s1 becomes small.
In view of this problem, when the frequency is swept from the
high-frequency side toward the low-frequency side upon starting the motor,
the control microcomputer 11 checks based on the signal from the speed
detector 8 if the motor 1 is operating. If the motor 1 is not operating,
the microcomputer 11 lowers the frequency without detecting the phase
difference .theta.A-S. Thereafter, when the motor 1 begins to operate, the
microcomputer 11 controls the driving frequency so that the phase
difference .theta.A-S is in the vicinity of the resonance frequency fr
(between the phase differences .theta.1 and .theta.2), thereby driving the
vibration wave motor 1.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the application is to provide a vibration type motor device
which excites a vibration member by applying frequency signals to an
electro-mechanical energy conversion element portion arranged in the
vibration member so as to obtain a driving force, wherein a superposition
circuit for superposing a predetermined signal on an output from a
vibration state detection element portion that detects the vibration state
of the vibration member and generates an output corresponding to the
detected vibration state is arranged, the predetermined signal is
superposed on the detection output, and the driving state of the motor
device is detected by a driving state detection circuit on the basis of
the superposed output from the detection element portion and the frequency
signals applied to the energy conversion element portion, thereby
eliminating the influence of noise.
One aspect of the application is to provide, under the above object, a
device in which a vibration detection energy conversion element portion
and a driving energy conversion element portion are electrically coupled
to each other, and the detection energy conversion element portion is used
in the superposition circuit.
Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the
following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a driving circuit for a vibration wave motor
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a principal part of the driving circuit
for the vibration wave motor shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between Cin/Cs and the ratio of
the superposition signal in the driving circuit of the vibration wave
motor shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship among the frequency and the
phase difference .theta.A-S in the driving circuit for the vibration wave
motor shown in FIG. 1, and the motor rotational speed N;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a driving circuit for a vibration wave motor
according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a principal part of the second
embodiment shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a side view of a vibration wave motor according to the third
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the arrangement of a
piezoelectric element portion of a rod-shaped vibration wave motor
according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a principal part of the fourth
embodiment shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the arrangement of a
piezoelectric element portion of a rod-shaped vibration wave motor
according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the arrangement of a lens driving
device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a side view of a conventional rod-shaped vibration wave motor;
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a driving circuit for the rod-shaped
vibration wave motor shown in FIG. 12; and
FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship among the frequency and the
phase difference .theta.A-S in the driving circuit shown in FIG. 13, and
the motor rotational speed N.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 1 to 4 show the first embodiment of a driving circuit of a vibration
type (vibration wave) motor according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is
a block diagram of a driving circuit for a vibration wave motor according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the speed detector 8 used in the prior
art shown in FIG. 13 is omitted, and a capacitor 12 as an impedance
element is arranged so that the A phase (A-phase driving side) is
connected in series with the S phase (vibration detection side). In this
case, A-phase driving piezoelectric elements as A-phase driving
electro-mechanical energy conversion elements, and a vibration detection
piezoelectric element (electro-mechanical energy conversion element) are
positionally in-phase with each other, and a phase difference .theta.A-S
of +90.degree. is obtained at the resonance frequency. Note that the same
reference numerals in FIG. 1 denote the same parts as in the prior art
shown in FIG. 13, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a principal part of the driving
circuit for the vibration wave motor shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates
an equivalent simplified principal part of the driving circuit for the
vibration wave motor shown in FIG. 1, and the driving circuit can be
expressed by a capacitive component Cs on the vibration detection
piezoelectric element side and a capacitive component Cin formed by the
capacitor 12 connected in series with the S phase.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between Cin/Cs shown in FIG. 2
and the superposition ratio of a signal to be superposed on the vibration
detection portion.
The operation will be described below.
As can be seen from the graph in FIG. 3, if the signal to be superposed
(A-phase voltage in this embodiment) is constant, a larger A-phase voltage
component is superposed on the S phase as the ratio "Cin/Cs" between the
two capacitive components is larger. More specifically, the magnitude of
the signal to be superposed on the S phase can be adjusted by changing
"Cin/Cs".
If the magnitude of the signal to be superposed on the S phase is too
small, an error occurs when the S-phase signal has a small amplitude; if
the magnitude is too large, a detection error of the resonance frequency
occurs. Therefore, the magnitude of the signal to be superposed is
preferably adjusted to fall within the range of "1/20 to 1/3" of the
output voltage (maximum) from the vibration detection portion at the
resonance frequency, i.e., within an optimal magnitude range on the
experimental basis as well.
When the magnitude of an original A-phase signal to be superposed is set to
be equal to that of the output voltage from the vibration detection
portion at the resonance frequency, the magnitude of the signal to be
superposed can be adjusted to fall within the optimal range of "1/20 to
1/3" of the output voltage from the voltage detection portion by adjusting
the ratio "Cin/Cs" between the capacitive components (the ratio of the
capacitive component Cs of the vibration detection portion and the
capacitive component Cin arranged in series with Cs) to fall within the
range of "0.05<Cin/Cs<0.5".
The above-mentioned relationship between the capacitive component ratio and
the magnitude of the signal to be superposed can be utilized as a
reference in the adjustment process or an index in design.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship among the driving frequency and
phase difference of the driving circuit for the vibration wave motor shown
in FIG. 1, and the motor rotational speed.
In the prior art shown in FIG. 14, the phase difference .theta.A-S does not
have a stable value at frequencies higher than the frequency f at which
the motor begins to operate. However, in this embodiment, the phase
difference .theta.A-S is stable at 0.degree. (in phase with the A phase)
even at frequencies higher than the frequency f at which the motor begins
to operate. Therefore, when the frequency is swept from the high-frequency
side toward the low-frequency side upon starting the motor, since the
phase difference is 0.degree. even before the motor begins to operate, the
frequency can be controlled to be continuously lowered, so that the motor
is driven in a stable region corresponding to the rotational speed N near
the resonance frequency fr.
As described above, in this embodiment, a speed detector 8 such as an
encoder, which is required in the prior art, can be omitted, and the motor
1 can be efficiently driven at the resonance frequency fr on the basis of
only the information of the phase difference .theta.A-S, thus realizing
size and cost reductions.
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a driving circuit for a vibration wave motor
according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has substantially the same arrangement as
that in the first embodiment, except that a resistor 12' replaces the
capacitor 12 serving as the impedance element. The same reference numerals
in FIG. 5 denote the same parts as in the first embodiment, and a detailed
description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 6 illustrates an equivalent simplified principal part of the driving
circuit for the vibration wave motor shown in FIG. 5, and the driving
circuit can be expressed by the capacitive component Cs on the vibration
detection piezoelectric element side and a resistance Rin (12') connected
in series with the S phase.
With this arrangement, the magnitude of a signal to be superposed on the S
phase can be adjusted by changing the ratio "Rin/Cs" of Rin to Cs of the
vibration detection portion as in the first embodiment. In addition,
adjustment is easier than the first embodiment since "Rin/Cs" can be
changed by varying the resistance.
As described above, according to the second embodiment, the magnitude of a
signal to be superposed can be adjusted by a simple arrangement without
causing any phase shift. In addition, since the degree of attenuation of
the magnitude of a signal to be superposed on the S phase becomes larger
than that attained by the capacitor 12 as the frequency becomes higher, an
unnecessary high-frequency component included in an original signal to be
superposed can be removed so as not to be superposed on the S phase.
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a rod-shaped vibration wave motor according to the
third embodiment of the present invention.
In the first embodiment, the capacitor 12 is arranged outside the motor.
However, in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7, another piezoelectric
element s2 is added as a built-in capacitor to the S-phase portion in the
motor in addition to the piezoelectric element s1, and the side, opposite
to the S phase (S-d), of the element s2 is connected to the A phase (A-d).
Since a piezoelectric element inherently serves as a capacitive element
unless an electric charge is applied thereto, the piezoelectric element
for the vibration member 1 of the motor can be used.
With this arrangement, the A-phase voltage component can be superposed on
the S-phase signal as in the first embodiment.
As described above, according to the third embodiment, the piezoelectric
element in the vibration member 1 is used as a capacitive element, i.e.,
the capacitive element is assembled in the motor as a built-in capacitor.
Therefore, a more compact arrangement can be realized, and the efficient
control effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a piezoelectric element portion
as an electro-mechanical energy conversion element portion of a vibration
wave motor according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is applied to a vibration wave
motor, the piezoelectric element portion of which has a multi-layered
structure to attain a size reduction and high reliability. Note that the
multi-layered (stacked) structure is described in detail in Japanese
Patent Application No. 5-331848.
In FIG. 8, piezoelectric elements 13-1 to 13-n constitute a driving &
vibration detection element portion, and are stacked using through holes
and the like. The piezoelectric element 13-1 is divided into three
regions, i.e., driving electrodes A and B, and a vibration detection
electrode S. On the entire back of the element 13-1, i.e., on the entire
surface of the element 13-2, an electrode is formed except for through
hole portions.
On one surface of each of the elements 13-2 to 13-n, a cross-shaped pattern
is formed to divide the surface into four regions. The opposing ones of
these four regions are respectively used for driving the A and B phases.
On the other surface of each of these elements, an electrode is entirely
formed except for through holes, as in the element 13-1.
The element 13-3 has the same electrode pattern as that of the element
13-2, and through holes are formed on these elements at symmetrical
positions. (Note that the same effect as described above can be obtained
when one of the elements 13-2 and 13-3 has the above-mentioned element
pattern and the other element has no electrode pattern.)
The element 13-4 and the subsequent elements are stacked to repeat the
combinations of the elements 13-2 and 13-3, thus forming an n-layered
element structure. Note that only the element 13-n has one through hole.
In this case, the reason why each piezoelectric element is divided into
four regions is to effectively use the driving force of the motor. A
detailed description thereof will be omitted. Opposing electrodes are
polarized in opposite directions. These piezoelectric elements can
similarly drive the vibration wave motor by applying AC voltages having
different phases to the electrodes A and B of the piezoelectric element
13-1.
An uppermost piezoelectric element 14 is arranged to concentrate the feed
positions on one portion on the perimeter of the motor (patterns A, B, and
S).
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a principal part of the multi-layered
piezoelectric element portion shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 9 illustrates an equivalent simplified structure near the vibration
detection portion of the piezoelectric elements 14 and 13-1 in FIG. 8. As
can be seen from FIG. 9, the A-phase feed portion of the piezoelectric
element 14 is stacked on the S-phase portion of the element 13-1 and the
like. Therefore, the A- and S-phase patterns on the piezoelectric elements
14 and 13-1 are connected to each other to sandwich the capacitive
component of the piezoelectric element 14 therebetween so as to form a
coupling capacitance Cin, and the A-phase voltage component is superposed
on the S phase via Cin.
As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, since the
multi-layered structure is adopted, the piezoelectric elements 14 and 13-1
to 13-n are integrally sintered and formed as one member, and
piezoelectric elements need not be stacked via electrode plates (A-d, S-d,
and the like). In addition, "Cin/Cs" changes in accordance with the
coupling capacitance which depends on the stacking degree of, e.g.,
pattern intervals, shapes, and the like of the A and S phases, and the
magnitude of a signal to be superposed can be adjusted, thus obtaining the
effect of the present invention and realizing a compact, high-efficiency
vibration wave motor.
In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, a rod-shaped vibration wave
motor has been exemplified. However, the present invention can be applied
to motors of other types in addition to the rod-shaped motor as long as
they use a vibration detection piezoelectric element.
The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a
piezoelectric element portion of a vibration wave motor according to the
fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment shown in
FIG. 10 adopts a multi-layered structure of piezoelectric elements 15-2 to
15-n as in the fourth embodiment. However, the patterns of the fifth
embodiment are different from those in the fourth embodiment, and
electrodes A' and B' are arranged in addition to the driving electrodes A
and B.
When voltages having opposite phases are applied to these electrodes A, A',
B, and B', an energy saving effect is obtained, i.e., the motor can be
driven at a driving voltage half that required for the motor having only
the electrodes A and B. The electrodes are formed on one surface of each
of the piezoelectric elements 15-2 to 15-n, and the electrode pattern on
the opposing surface is transferred onto each surface without any
electrodes.
An uppermost piezoelectric element 15-1 has no electrodes but has only
through holes. Since a pattern is formed on a flexible board 16 to supply
electric power to through hole portions on the element 15-1, the pattern
on the flexible board 16 is equivalent to the electrode pattern on the
uppermost piezoelectric element 15-1.
Therefore, the coupling capacitance Cin changes depending on the stacking
degree of the A-phase power supply portion of the flexible board 16 on the
S-phase portion of the piezoelectric element 15-2, i.e., the ratio
"Cin/Cs" changes, thus adjusting the magnitude of the A-phase component to
be superposed on the S phase.
As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, since electric power
is supplied from the upper portion of the multi-layered piezoelectric
element portion using the flexible board 16, the piezoelectric elements
15-1 to 15-n (e.g., their patterns) need not be changed to adjust the
magnitude of a signal to be superposed. The magnitude of the A-phase
component to be superposed can be adjusted by changing the stacking degree
of the A-phase supply portion on the S-phase portion of the piezoelectric
element 15-2 on the flexible board 16 side.
The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the arrangement of a lens driving
device using a vibration wave motor which is driven by a driving circuit
of the present invention.
In the driving device of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a
rod-shaped vibration wave motor having a vibration member 1 is driven by a
driving circuit of the present invention, and does not require any
external members to be attached to the piezoelectric element portion such
as the speed detector 8 used in the prior art.
A gear F is integrally assembled with the vibration wave motor, and meshes
with an input gear GI of a gear transmission mechanism G. An output gear
GO of the mechanism G meshes with a gear HI formed on a lens holding
member H for holding a lens L1. The lens holding member H is
helicoid-coupled to a stationary barrel K, and is rotated by the driving
force of the vibration wave motor via the gear transmission mechanism G,
thus attaining a focusing operation.
As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, since the lens
driving device for a camera is constituted using the vibration wave motor
driven by the driving circuit of the present invention, a high-performance
lens driving device, which can attain a further size reduction and can
cope with, e.g., a high-speed AF driving operation, can be realized.
As the microcomputer 11 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a microcomputer, which is
programmed to inhibit or regulate frequency shifts in the low-frequency
direction when the phase difference detected by a phase difference
detector 10 becomes one representing the resonance frequency or a slightly
high frequency near the resonance frequency, or is programmed to control
the frequency to obtain a predetermined phase difference, is used.
As the signal to be superposed on the S phase, the A-phase signal is
exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For
example a frequency signal which has a predetermined level and a phase
close to the phase of a driving frequency signal, or the like may be
superposed.
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